He Makes Me Laugh
As memorial day approaches, I reflect upon the life I had
with my deceased wife, Sharon. Even though I am know happily
remarried, still the joy, pain and memories are never
totally removed. When I married Sharon, she had terminal
cancer. However, due to the nature of the disease, we both
thought the sands of time allocated to her may be
significant. Her doctor thought otherwise, giving her six
months. Did I say something about God yet? Well we both were
strong in the faith. We loved God, prayed often and read the
bible. A year, then two, three, four, five years passed. We
traveled to the Grand Canyon, to Carlsbad, to Montana,
Yellowstone, the Rockies, to about 30 states even traveled
to Mexico. A dying person traveling, living life to its full
extent? Yes.
A co-worker once asked Sharon "Why did you marry BJ?" After
all I am not the ladies man, not eloquent with the words of
the English language, am overweight and not gifted with any
significant talent. Her response has stayed with me to this
day. "I married BJ, because he makes me smile, and he makes
me laugh."
Well the battle with cancer did take my wife. Not in six
months, but eight and half years of knowing her, close to
six in marriage. My current wife, Carolina has told me she
loves me because of my sense of humor, my ability to take a
bad day and change it to good.
Thanks Sharon for the lesson. If you are listening, I have
kept the faith and remain strong with God, who I believe is
the ultimate comedian.
The lesson here is more than humor, it is about life. Enjoy
the flowers, nature, family and friends. Where life takes
you, enjoy the journey....this is our choice. A bumpy road,
slow down and enjoy the ride. A long line at the cash
register....laugh if off, talk to a stranger, generate a
smile. If I could leave one message is would be: enjoy life,
have a sense of humor (clean and decent).
Alas, when my time comes, I would like to grab the mike in
Heaven and start off with: "Did you hear what happened to me
on the way to heaven today?...."
B. J. Cassady
BJ.Cassady@af-group.com
Guthrie, Okla